A Java3D-Visualisation of the Schickard Calculator

	Java 3D-Simulation of the Schickard Calculator from 1623
	Introduction Installation Applet Problems More Gallery Description Editorial

Introduction

The Schickard Calculator is the first known mechanical calculator to add, subtract, multiply and divide.
It was invented by the German professor Wilhelm Schickard in 1623, but remained unknown for 300 years.
In 1960 it was reconstructed by Baron Bruno von Freytag-Löringhoff.

In this study work a simulation of the reconstructed calculator was done using a Java 3D-applet.
This makes it possible to perform calculations like Schickard did, watch the calculator from any
view point you like and even gain an insight view of case.
Look at some screen shots in our small picture gallery.

On this page you will find everything you need to start the applet and much more...
Explore the fascinating world of the Schickard Calculator!

Installation and Configuration for Windows 95/NT

Step 1: Installation of Java 2-Plug-in

You must have a Java 2-Plug-in (preferred: Java 1.2.1-Plug-in) installed.
Otherwise:
Download and install the Java 1.2.2-Plug-in in (file: jre1_2_2-win.exe) your favorite directory.
Example directory: C:\Program Files\JavaSoft\JRE\1.2

Step 2: Installation of Java 3D-Plug-in

You must have a Java 3D-Plug-in (preferred: Java 1.1.1-Plug-in) installed.
Otherwise:
Download and install the Java 3D Runtime for the JRE (file: java3d1_1_2-win32-opengl-rt.exe)
in the same directory as the Java 2-Plugin.
Example directory: C:\Program Files\JavaSoft\JRE\1.2

Step 3: Installation of Java-VRML-Loader

You must have the VRML97 Java 3D Loader installed.
Otherwise:
Download and unzip the vrml97.jar of the "Java 3D and VRML Working group"
to the runtime sub directory .../lib/ext of your Plug-in directory.
Example directory: C:\Program Files\JavaSoft\JRE\1.2\lib\ext.

Step 4: Enabling the Plug-in

Make sure you have activated the Java 3D-Plug-in where you have just installed the Java-VRML-Loader into.
Therefore:
Start the Java Plug-in Control Panel and choose the newly installed JRE (Sheet 'Advanced') .
Default location inWindows:Start-->Programs-->Java_Plug-in_Control_Panel

THE APPLET

When you think, you are ready, start here the
Java 3D Simulation of the Schickard Calculator.

default size is [600x400] - you may wish to try [1280x960]

Troubleshooting

"I have problems with the Plug-in!"
When you use the Java 1.2.1/Java 3D 1.1.1 Plug-in there is a bug: You might have to move all files from .../lib/ext to .../lib.
Always make sure to check out the Java Plug-in-FAQ / Java 3D-FAQ.
"The applet stopped to load, and will not start again!"
Note that your browser caches the applet state even if you have disabled all browser caching.
If you started the applet and got an error, you have to restart your machine.
"The interactive scene looks strange!"
Because the applet was developed using Java 2 Version 1.2.1 and Java 3D Version 1.1.1,
there might be differences in the appearance of the model (no transparent GIFs, bad textures)
compared to the pictures in the gallery, if you use the newer versions Java 2 Version 1.2.2 and Java 3D Version 1.1.2.
Another reason might be that you use a special graphic card. In this case check out the Java Plug-in-FAQ / Java 3D-FAQ.
"I see the applet, but I cannot modify anything in the scene!"
It is possible that you have to change your policy file in order to allow modification of the scene:
Add the following three lines to your java.policy file in the ...\lib\security\ directory of your Plug-in.

grant codeBase "http://www.gris.uni-tuebingen.de/projects/schickard/-" {
permission java.security.AllPermission;
};

"The applet is so slow!"
When you have tried anything else, you can only download all applet files and start it from your local disk.

Do you want to know more ...

about Schickard and his calculator?
When you download the first part of this study work (in German) you get a lot of information about the life of Wilhelm Schickard
and the history, the structure, the function and the usage of his calculator.
about the implementation of the applet?
First take a look at a short description of the modeling and implementation process.
When you still want to know more about Java 3D, a more detailled description of the applet, the programming language Java 3D, the design
and many details about the implementation like the realization of the interaction using the class Behavior, you can download the
second part of this study work (in German).

Editorial

Author:	Benjamin Nill
Tutors:	Bernd Eberhard, Frank Hanisch

Location of this file: http://www.gris.uni-tuebingen.de/projects/studproj/schickard/index.html